Compressible tube closure



1954 A. w. FOWLER 2,665,038

COMPRESSIBLE TURBJE CLOSURE Filed Feb. 3. 1950 ALMQH. M FOWLEZ INVENTOR.

A TToZA/E/ Patented Jan. 5, 1954 UNITED STATES FATENT osrice COMPRESSIBLE TUBE CLOSURE Alvah W. Fowler, Fort Worth; Tex assignor a fifty per cent to H. L. Collins; Fort Worth, Tex.

Application February a, 1950, serial No. 142,299 2 Claims. (01. 222-561) Thi'sinvention relates to closures for compressible tubes, of the type employed for dentifrice's, and other products of similar characteristics, and ithas for its principal object the provision of a novel sliding closure plate which, while capable of being slidably moved across the top of the tube to cover or uncover the outlet aperture thereii'ncannot be detached from the tube and destroyed or misplaced,

Another object of the invention resides in the prov 'ion of a closure element capable of being economicallyconstructed and applied, and affording a cover for the tube by which the contents can be preserved against contamination and by which any residue of the contents of the tube, after each dispensing operation, can be neatly removed or scraped away, the blade-like closure functioning to cut the extruded product off at the discharge aperture in the closing operation.

Broadly, the invention contemplates the provision of a simple and inexpensive arrangement by which all types of compressible tubes can be equipped with a practical and sanitary closure, obviating the necessity for removing and replacing a threaded cap on the container, yet without appreciably increasing the cost of producing such containers.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective View of a compressible tube showing the invention attached.

Figure 2 illustrates the invention in longitudinal section, the upper part of the tube being shown also in section.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the invention showin the sliding closure plate, the slots on each side of the transverse depression being shown in dotted lines.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the invention, illustrating one end of the sliding closure plate in the depression therefor.

Figure 5 is a perspective illustration of the sliding closure plate, showing the projections on each edge on one end, and

Figure 6 is a perspective illustration of a compressible container in which the invention is employed.

The invention, being designed for embodiment in a conventional type of compressible tube container, is simplified in design and consists primarily of a metal or plastic plate I0, shown in detail in Figure 5, which is slidably arranged in 2 a depression II formed transversely of the top surface I2 of the neck portion I3 of a dispensing tube container I4, the latter being formed with a conically shaped shoulder I5 which merges into the base of the neck I3, as apparent in Figure 2. i

It is contemplated that the neck I3 and its top surface I2 be integrally formed with the shoulder I5, as shown in Figure 2, but the neck I3 may, if desired, be enibrace'd by a cap I6, such as that shown in Figure 4, which can be permanently-pressed upon the neck I3 and the inveh tion embodied therein.

The closure plate ID, illustrated in perspective in Figure 5, is of greater length than width and has a projecting member IT on each parallel edge at one end of the member ID. It is desir able that the broad end of the plate Ill be arouate in form to conform to the round contour of the neck I3, when the tube is closed, as shown in Figure 3. The plate In is also preferably slightly arcuate in transverse section to provide a suitable tension at each edge to insure proper function of the device.

The depression II extends transversely across the top I2 of the neck I3 and has an aperture I8 therein through which the contents of the tube I 4 are extruded. The aperture I8 may be closed by an integral penetrable metal section I9 which is capable of being removed by a sharp instrument, such as a pen knife, when the tube is first opened. In each side of the depression I I is formed a slot or channel 20 in a plane parallel with the surface of the top I2, and a detent 2I is formed in each channel 20 at one end of the depression II, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3.

It will become apparent, therefore, by reference to Figure 3, that the plate III is arranged in the depression II so that its opposing edges 22 extend into the channels 20 but slidably engage the detent members 2|. The outer edges 23 of the projections I'I slidably operate in the channels 20 to provide a suitable bearing therein on each side of the plate I0, opposing the detents 2I against which the edges 22 of the plate It operate, and function as a stop for the plate I0 to prevent its removal or detachment from the depression II. The opposite end of the plate In is turned at right angles to provide a flange 24 which extends upwardly, as shown in Figure 2, to afiord a suitable finger hold for moving the plate II] and provide a stop opposite the members II.

The plate I0 is installed in the channels 20 by inserting the end thereof opposite the members I! and forming the flange 24 thereon. In such an arrangement it would not be possible to remove the plate It! without first flattening the flange 24.

Although the simplicity and practicability of the device is the apparent, it is contemplated that certain modifications of the structure herein shown and described may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a sliding closure for compressible tubes having a neck portion and in combination a depression formed transversely of the upper face of said neck portion, the combination of a channel formed in each of the opposing sides of said depression, an aperture in said depression, the said channels being partially closed on one end providing opposing stops, of a sliding plate adapted to be slidably arranged in said depression and having its edges extending into said channels, the said plate being arcuate in transverse section and having an opposing projection on each edge on one end thereof engageable with said stops to limit the movement of said plate, and a flange formed on the opposite end of said plate providing a detent opposite said projections.

2, In a sliding closure for compressible tubes having a neck portion and in combination a 30 depression formed transversely of the top of said neck portion having an aperture therein, in combination, a channel formed in each of the opposing parallel sides of said depression, each of said channels having a detent in one end in opposing arrangement on each side of said depression, a sliding plate arcuate in transverse section operatively arranged in said depression and having its edges extending into said channels, a projection formed on opposite edges of said plate on one end and engageable with said detents in said channels, and a flange formed transversely of the opposite end of said plate for limiting longitudinal movement thereof.

ALVAH W. FOWLER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 93,432 Gros Aug. 10, 1869 226,804 Taylor Apr. 20, 1880 1,115,375 Bachowski et al. Oct. 27, 1914 1,116,604 McDonald Nov. 10, 1914 1,640,481 Collins Aug. 30, 1927 1,871,640 Weaver Aug. 16, 1932 2,083,565 Hothersall June 15, 1937 2,202,653 Glidden May 28, 1940 2,370,997 Rudolph Mar. 6, 1945 2,434,706 Molyszko Jan. 20, 1948 2,534,100 Baumgartner Dec. 12, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 566,186 Great Britain Dec. 18, 1944 

